This helps explain why Singh has made such an extraordinary effort to sustain dialogue with Pakistan and why India remains a strong proponent of universal nuclear disarmament.

NEW DELHI When the Commonwealth heads of government meet in Australia later this month, one prominent leader is almost certain to be conspicuously absent India s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Senge Hasan Sering, from Skardu, the director of the Gilgit Baltistan National Congress, believes that the number of Chinese People s Liberation Army troops now present could be over 11,000, as there are also additional PLA construction corps personnel deployed.